Device for removing the core of a nozzle valve for steel ladle



Jan. 27, 1970 J. J. KERIN 3,491,428 DEVICE FOR REMOVING THE CORE OF A NOZZLE VALVE FOR STEEL LADLE 7 Original Filed Oct. 18, 1965 v 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. \JOJSEPI -I d. KER/N Q /2M f ATTOR/VE Y5 Jan. 27, 1970 J. J. KERIN 3, 1,

DEVICE FOR REMOVING THE CORE OF A NOZZLE VALVE FOR STEEL LADLE Original Filed Oct. 18. 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOSEPH J. KER/N AT'TORNEYS Jan. 27, 1970 J. J. KERIN 3,491,428

DEVICE FOR REMOVING THE CURE OF A NOZZLE VALVE FOR STEEL LADLE Original Filed Oct. 18, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 'nllllin i i INVENTOR. JOSEPII J. KER/IV ATTO RNE' Y3 Jan. 27, 1970 J. J. KERlN 3,491,428v

DEVICE FOR REMOVING THE CORE OF A NOZZLE VALVE FOR STEEL LADLE' Original Filed Oct. 18, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /!4- 6 M0 i) 599i 2 206 522%; M/ %@;4& x02

' i I E-6b 24 62 a [a 1 F l6. l4.

INVENTOR.

JOS'PH M58! A TTORM/' YS United States Fatent O 3,491,428 DEVICE FOR REMOVING THE CORE OF A NOZZLE VALVE FOR STEEL LADLE Joseph J. Karin, 5713 Main St., Duluth, Minn. 55807 Original application Oct. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 497,310, now Patent No. 3,344,965, dated Oct. 3, 1967. Divided and this application Aug. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 660,985

Int. Cl. B23 19/04 US. Cl. 29252 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosure relates to a pouring nozzle for a molten steel ladle including a hollow cylindrical body having a piston mounted therein. A rod is connected to the piston and extends outwardly of the cylinder at the top thereof. A pressure plate is mounted on the outer end of the rod, and means are provided for introducing fluid pressure alternately on each side of the piston to cause the pressure plate to move outwardly from the cylindrical body or to ward the same. The cylindrical body has mounted thereon means for mounting the same on a nozzle against displacement whereby the plate may be caused to bear against the core of the nozzle to force the core therefrom upon operation of the fluid pressure means.

This is a division of copending application for patent, Ser. No. 497,310, filed Oct. 18, 1965, now US. Patent No. 3,344,965.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvement in a pouring nozzle for a molten steel ladle. In the operation of a molten steel nozzle having a core, the core is subject to deterioration and with a removable core, the entire nozzle does not have to be removed. The core is replaced with the device embodying the invention. It is an object of the invention to provide a device for removing the core of a molten steel nozzle which includes a cylinder and pressure plate having hook means for securing the device to the nozzle together with means for urging the pressure plate against the core of the nozzle and forcing it from the nozzle.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

In the drawings forming part of this application:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a steel ladle with a nozzle embodying the invention mounted in operative position thereon.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the nozzle illustrated as secured to the bottom portion of a steel ladle, portions thereof being in section, with the control handle in a closed position.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the nozzle similar to FIGURE 2 but rotated ninety degrees.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the nozzle core removed from the nozzle.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the nozzle valve cylinder removed from the core.

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal side elevation of the valve cylinder.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 of FIG- URE 4 with portions of the core being broken away.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevational view of the core casing.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the core-positioning plug in extended core-engaging position and reer 1C6 moved from the device, a withdrawn position of the plug shown in broken lines.

FIGURE 9a is a perspective view of the pull ring of the stop bolt.

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of that shown in FIG- URE 9 with the plug shown in withdrawn position.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the key rod removed from the device.

FIGURE 12 is a top plan view of the pressure arm mechanism with a portion of the casing shown.

FIGURE 13 is a longitudinal side view of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view on the line 14-14 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 15 is a top plan view of the nozzle removed from the ladle on the line 1515 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 16 is a longitudinal sideview of a core-removing mechanism.

FIGURE 17 is a longitudinal sectional view of the easing of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of the core-removing mechanism shown in FIGURE 16.

FIGURE 19 is a longitudinal side view of the core-removing mechanism of FIGURE 16 rotated ninety degrees.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and with particular reference to FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 15, the nozzle A includes the casing 22 formed of cast steel or the like including the front wall 24, the rear wall 26 and the side walls 28 and 30. Formed on the outside of the upper ends of the walls and around the perimeter thereof is the flange 32 used in mounting the nozzle on the bottom 34 of the ladle L by means of the bolts 36 which engage the block 38 mounted on the ladle bottom 34. Further provided is the nOzzle core 40 made of a high heat resistant refractory material such as Alumina Castable. The core 40 is rectangular in cross section and extending internally and longitudinally throughout the length thereof is the outlet hole 42. The core 40 may be polygonal in cross section and has a press fit within the casing 22. The rectangular cross section of the core provides positive alignment of the same relative to the casing 22, and the mechanism thereon herinafter described.

The numeral 43 designates a tapered cylindrical hole which extends transversely through the core 40 and which intersects the outlet hole 42. Positioned within the cylindrical hole 42 is tapered cylindical valve 44 which has extending therethrough the valve hole 46 normal to the longitudinal axis of the valve 44. The valve 44 is made of a high heat resistant material such as the refractory material above mentioned. Extending axially into the end of the valve 44 is the bearing hole 48 and at the opposite end the bearing hole 50 and positioned across a diameter of each bearing hole are the fixed key members 52 and 54, respectively. The length of the valve 44 is such that it is short at the smaller end thereof, as illustrated particulraly in FIGURE 7 so that when wear occurs, the Valve can seal further and take up the space indicated at X. The length of the core 40 is such that it extends throughout the length of the casing and outwardly thereof at the top of the casing as at 56, particularly FIGURE 2. The nozzle core 40 extends beyond the upper end of the casing 22 whereby the same is extended through the ladle bottom 34 and the securing block 38 to a point within the ladle proper.

The core 40 has formed in the oppositely disposed front and rear sides 58 and 60, respectively the identically formed and aligned recesses 62 and 64, respectively. The front wall 24 of the casing 22 is formed with the opening 66 which is in alignment with the recess 62 of the core 40, and the rear wall 26 is formed with the opening 68 which is in alignment with the recess 64. The recess 62 of the valve core 40 is engaged by the lock bolt 70 operated by the lock bolt mechanism 71, and the recess 64 is engaged by a second identical stop bolt not shown but operated by identical mechanism 71', therefore, only the mechanism 71 for operation of the lock bolt 70 being shown in detail, particularly if FIGURES 2, 9 and 10. The identical portions of the stop bolt mechanism 71' have the same number with a prime, thus added.

The stop bolt mechanism 71 includes the bracket 72 secured to the wall 24 of the casing in alignment 'With hole 66 and formed with the spaced flanges 74 and 76 extending outwardly therefrom, each of the flanges 74 and 76 formed with a notch 78 on the outer edge thereof. Further provided is the shaft 80 with the bolt 70 secured to inner end thereof, together with a coil spring 82 mounted on the shaft 80 interposed between the bolt 70 and the bracket 72 thereby urging this bolt 70 inwardly of the wall 24 and into the recess 62 of the core 40.

The shaft 80 has formed on the outer end thereof the rectangular ring 83 through which is extended the bar portion 84 of the pull ring 86. The bar 84 is formed with a notch 88 in which the ring 83 is engaged when the pull ring 86 is pulled to withdraw the lock bolt 70 from the recess 62 as shown particulraly in FIGURE 10. With the ring 83 in the notch 88 of bar 84 the pull ring 86 is then rotated ninety degrees and placed in the notches 78 thereby holding the lock bolt 70 out of recess 62 of the core against the action of the coil spring 82 shown in FIGURE and in broken lines in FIGURE 9. With the lock bolts 70' out of engagement with the recesses 62 and 64 the core 40 may be forced out of the casin 22.

To place the lock bolts into engagement with the recesses 62 and 64 of the nozzle core, the pull ring 86 is pulled against the urging of the spring 82 and rotated ninety degrees and allowed to move inwardly with the bar 84 between the flanges 74 and 76 as shown in full lines in FIGURE 9.

The numeral 90 designates a valve handle formed with the spaced arm portions 92 and 94. Further provided is a first key rod 96 which has formed on the inner end end thereof the slot 98 which engages the key 52 of the cylindrical valve 44. Extending from the key rod 96 is the hollow arm 100 into which is removably inserted the arm portion 92 of the handle 90. They key rod 96 has secured thereon the flange 102. The key rod 96 is rotatable in the bearing 104 mounted on the sidewall 28 of the casing 22, and the arm 100 is movable within the limits of the stops 106 and .108 projecting from the casing Wall 28. Also provided is a second key rod 110 which is identical to the key rod 96 and includes the slot 112 formed on the inner end thereof which engages the key 54 of the cylindrical valve 44. Extending from the key rod 110 is the hollow arm 112 into which is removably inserted the arm portion 94 of the handle 90. The key rod .110 is rotatable in the bearing 113 mounted on the sidewall 30 of the casing 22, and the arm 112 is movable within the limits of the stops 114 and 116 projecting from the casing wall 30.

With the handle 90 in a down position with the arms 100 and 112 against lower stops 108 and 116, as in FIG- URE 2, the cylindrical valve member 44 is rotated to a position with the valve hole 46 thereof out of register with outlet hole 42 thus closing off valve nozzle A, while with the handle 90 in an up position with the arms 100 and 112 against upper stops 106 and 114, as in FIGURE 3, the cylindrical valve member 44 is rotated to a position with the valve hole 46 thereof in register with the outlet hole 42 thus opening the valve nozzle A.

So that the handle 90 and the valve 44 do not rotate too freely and to keep the valve 44 tightly fit in the valve hole 43, the pressure arm 118 is provided which bears at its outer end 119 against the flange 102, the arm 118 urged by the flat coil spring 120 connected to the arm 118. The coil spring 120 is connected on its inner end to the shaft 122 rotatably mounted on the bracket 124 connected to the side wall 28 of the casing 22. Connected to the upper end of the shaft 122 is the gear 126 rotatable by means of the worm gear 128 mounted on the bracket 130 connected to bracket 124. With rotation of the worm gear 128 the spring can be wound more tightly thereby increasing the pressure of the arm 118 against the flange 102 thereby forcing the valve 44 more tightly in the valve hole 43, which automatically provides a take-up for rotational wear of the valve 44. The casing 22 has formed on the front wall 24 the lug 132 formed with the cavity 134. Formed on the rear wall 26 is the lug 136 having the cavity 138.

Referring to FIGURES 16, 17, 18 and 19, there is disclosed therein a device B for removing the core of a molten steel nozzle such as disclosed above in nozzle A. The device B includes the cylinder 140 closed at the bottorn by the plate 142 and at the top by the plate 144 through Which the piston rod 146 slidably extends in sealing engagement by means of gasket 147 and retaining ring 149. Connected to the inner end of the rod 146 is the piston 148 which is slidably mounted within the cylinder 140. Further provided is the oil line 150 which enters the cylinder 140 at the bottom. Oil pressure is supplied and relieved at the lines 150 and 152 by conventional means not shown thereby making the piston 148 double acting to move the rod 146 in and out of the cylinder. Secured to the outer free end of the rod 146 is the pressure plate 154.

The numerals 156 and 158 designate a pair of spaced flanges extending from the top of the cylinder 140, and the numerals 160 and 162 designate a further pair of spaced flanges extending from the top of the cylinder and oppositely disposed to the flanges 156 and 158. Further provided is the tong 164 having the hook portion 166 formed on the outer end thereof, the tong being pivoted intermediate its end portions 168 and 170 to the flanges 160 and 162 by means of pin 171. A companion tong 172 is provided having the hook portion 174 formed on the outer end thereof, the tong being pivoted intermediate its end portions 176 and 178 to the flanges 156 and 158 by means of the pin 159. The lower end of the end portion 170 of tong 164 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a first offset link 180 by means of the pin 182. The lower end of the offset link 180 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the elliptical lever 184 by means of the pin 186. The lever 184 is pivotally mounted on the pin 188 formed on the collar 190 secured to the cylinder 140. The numeral 192 designates a second offset link pivotally connected at its inner end to the upper end of the lever 184 by means of the pin 194, the outer end of the second link 192 being pivotally connected to the lower end of the lower end portion 178 of tong 172 by means of the pin 196.

The numeral 198 designates a lever the upper end of which is connected rigidly to the outer surfaceof the lever 184 by means of the bolts 200 and 202. Secured to and extending from the casing 140 is the dog 204 which is engaged by the lever 198 to hold the tongs 164 and 172 in a separated or expanded condition by means of the lever and link mechanism above described. The arm 198 is provided with the offset pad portion 206 for easy operation of the arm 198.

Further provided is a second lever 184' substantially identical to lever 184 which is pivotally mounted on the pin 188' mounted on the collar 190 opposite to lever 184. The lower end of the end portion 170 of tong 164 is pivotally connected by means of the pin 182 to the upper end of the offset link 180. The lower end of the link 180' is pivotally connected to the lower end of thelever 184 by means of the pin 186' as in the case of link 180 and lever 184. Additionally provided is the offset link 192 pivotally connected by means of the pin 194' to the upper end of the lever 184'. The opposite end of the link 192' is pivotally connected to the lower end of the end portion 178 of tong 172 by means of the pin 1'59.

Thus the tongs 164 and 172 are actuated by a pair of lever mechanisms. By pressing the pad 206 toward the casing 140, the hook portions 174 and 166 of the tongs are separated further against the action of the spring 208 interposed between the tong portion 170 and the cylinder 140 and the spring 210 interposed between the tong portion 178 and the casing 140, the springs 208 and 210- normally urging the upper ends of the tongs toward each other.

When it is desired to remove the core 4-4 from the casing 22 for replacement, the device B is positioned adjacent the lower end of the nozzle casing 22 and the hook ends 174 and 166 are positioned in engagement with the lugs 132 and 136 of the casing. The hook ends 174 and 166 are separated by operating the arm 198. With the hooks 174 and 166 in engagement with the lugs 132 and 136 and the head 154 adjacent the lower end of core 40, oil pressure is introduced into line 152, and as a result, the pressure plate 154 is forced against the lower end of the core 40 thereby forcing the core from the casing upwardly there through and into the ladle. The core 40 is removed when the ladle is cold. The hooks 174 and 166 are released from the lugs 132 and 136 by pressing on the pad 206 whereby the device B can be removed from the casing 22. Prior to operating the hydraulic operated head 154, the lock bolts 70 are removed from the recesses 62 and 64 of the core 40 in the manner hereinbefore described, and the key rods 96 and 110 are removed from the bearings 104 and 113. With the core 40 removed a new core can be inserted in place thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for removing the core from the casing of a nozzle Valve for steel ladles where the casing has lugs projecting outwardly therefrom on opposite sides thereof, said device comprising (a) a cylinder,

(b) plates at the ends of said cylinder closing both of the ends thereof,

(0) a piston slidable in said cylinder,

(d) a piston rod extending through one of said plates and engaging said piston,

(e) fluid conducting means for conducting fluid into the chamber between the other plate and said piston,

(f) pressure applying means at the outer end of said piston rod,

(g) tongs at the end of the cylinder from which the piston rod extends and projecting outwardly beyond said piston,

(h) hooks on the outer ends of said tongs and engageable with the lugs on the nozzle casing,

(i) pivot means between the tongs and the end of the cylinder from which the piston rod extends and disposed intermediate the ends of said tongs,

(j) an elongated lever having opposite ends,

(k) intermediate pivot means between said lever and said cylinder disposed intermediate the ends of said lever,

(1) links between the other ends of said tongs and the opposite ends of said lever,

(m) pivot means between certain ends of the links and the other ends of said tongs,

(n) pivot means between the other ends of said links and the opposite ends of said lever,

(o) the distances between said last named pivot means and the intermediate pivot means of the lever being equal and (p) means attached to said lever for manually moving the same.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the last named pivot means and the intermediate pivot means lie in a straight line along said lever.

3. A device according to claim 1 in which (a) there are two levers one on each side of the cylinder and pivoted thereto with (b) the intermediate pivot means of both levers lying in axial alignment and (c) there are two sets of pairs of links pivoted to the levers and (d) offset to overlie the tongs on opposite sides thereof.

4. A device according to claim 1 in which resilient means are employed between the two tongs and the cylinder and which hold the hooks into engagement with the lugs of the casing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 766,753 8/1904 Brooks 137327 XR 1,331,305 2/1920 Wilkinson 137328 XR 1,403,589 1/ 1922 Cinquini 29261 XR 3,069,761 12/1962 Sommer 29252 3,085,311 3/1963 Miller et al. 29252 XR 3,337,943 8/1967 Powell 29252 ROBERT G. NILSON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

